unsaon
How to Do
Use unsaon to ask 'How do I...' or 'How will we...' regarding actions that haven't happened yet.
How It Works
In Cebuano, asking 'how' depends on whether the action is finished or not. Unsaon is the 'not started' or contemplated form.
1. Sentence Structure
The standard pattern is:
Unsaon + [Doer in Genitive] + [pag- + Verb Root]
- Literal Meaning: It helps to think of unsaon as 'What will be done to [it]?' This explains why the person doing the action is in the genitive case (e.g., nako, nimo).
- The Action: The main verb is expressed as a pag- noun (the act of doing).
2. Colloquial Shortening
In everyday spoken Cebuano, unsaon is very frequently shortened to saon. For example, 'Saon man ni?' (How is this done? / What will be done to this?).
3. Usage Context
Use unsaon for:
- Instructions: Unsaon pagluto ani? (How do you cook this?)
- Future plans: Unsaon nato pag-adto? (How will we get there?)
- Hypotheticals: Unsaon nimo pagtubag? (How would you answer?)
4. Comparison with Giunsa
If you are asking how someone already did something, you must use giunsa instead. Unsaon is strictly for things that have not happened yet.
Examples (4)
- Unsaon nako pag-adto sa Bohol?
How do I get to Bohol?
Word by Word: How-will-be-done by-me the-going to Bohol?
Uses 'nako' (by me) and 'pag-adto' (the going) to ask for directions.
- Unsaon man nato pag-sulbad niini?
How are we going to solve this?
Word by Word: How-will-be-done [particle] by-us the-solving of-this?
The particle 'man' is often added to questions to soften the tone.
- Unsaon nimo pag-ingon niana sa Bisaya?
How do you say that in Bisaya?
Word by Word: How-will-be-done by-you the-saying of-that in Bisaya?
A common phrase for learners asking for translations.
- Unsaon pag-abli sa pultahan?
How do you open the door?
Word by Word: How-will-be-done the-opening of-the door?
The doer can be omitted if the question is general (like an instruction manual).
Common Mistakes
Using unsaon for past actions.
Unsaon nimo pag-abot gahapon?Giunsa nimo pag-abot gahapon?Because the arrival happened 'gahapon' (yesterday), you must use the started aspect form 'giunsa' instead of 'unsaon'.
Using the wrong pronoun set (nominative instead of genitive).
Unsaon ikaw pag-himo ana?Unsaon nimo pag-himo ana?Unsaon requires the genitive actor (nimo) because it is a patient-focus construction.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'unsaon', you first need to know the root question word 'unsa' (what). Since 'unsaon' functions as a verb meaning 'how will [something] be done', you must understand how the '-on' suffix indicates a future or not-yet-started action. Additionally, because the person performing the action in this construction is marked with genitive pronouns (like 'nako'), familiarity with those pronoun forms is essential.
- unsaWhat
The root word 'unsa' (what) is the basis for the interrogative verb 'unsaon'.
Level 1 - nako / koFirst-Person Genitive
Understanding genitive pronouns is necessary because 'unsaon' typically requires the actor to be in the genitive case.
Level 1 - Aspect Rather Than Tense
The suffix '-on' in 'unsaon' indicates the 'not started' aspect, contrasting with the 'started' form 'giunsa'.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- giunsaHow Was It Done
Giunsa is the 'started' counterpart to unsaon, used for asking how something was done in the past.
Level 1 - pag- (nombre)Action Noun
The pag- form is required for the main verb following unsaon.
Level 4 - Genitive Actor In Non-Actor Focus
Explains why we use nako/nimo/niya instead of ako/ikaw/siya with this pattern.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice unsaon in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Cebuano lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
